New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-14
STANDING BY SECRETARY sT1yTON.

A MEMORABLE NIGHT IN THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
Luke r. roland Of Vermont. IN The omaha Republican,
In the afternoon PRECEDENT Johnson sent to the sen
ate the name of General Lorenzo Thomas n Secretary
OF War al interim, 10 superscde Secretary stanton
This caused great excitement, and the Senate innc-
datciy vent into executive session ana remained III
session till near mdni .ht. IL WAS during this session
that Mr. Sumner sent his famous message to stanton
"to stick" Tho late General James Morehead was
then the representative from the PIttsburg district
and both he nd yselt lived nj Mrs. carriers famous
old boarding house on Capltol iill. -.
That night Spt aker Coiax held the last oil hs pnDlc
receptions Tor that session, and ~ neither General
Morehead nor myself had attended any oil his previous
receptions decided 10 go to this, but TO go quite
early and to away before the crowd became
great Coliax then lived on tie north side oil laiay-
ete Square, and quite near the war Department.
General Morehcad anC myself were hrst arrivals NJ
the Sneakers pton. aud we were then informed
by Coiiax tina. Stanton was "pprehens'ye oil an at
tempt take iorcbe possession oil Tie war depart
ment and thus put General Thomas in nctial posses
zion OF the oiicc and that stanton was at inc ar
Uepartmept and intended to remain during the
night Mr.. Stanton had resided az Pittsbnrg Tor some
PERIOD aud he and General Morehead were very
warm pcrsona friends and the relations between the
Secretary and myself were quite htimate a.d
cordial We at once took leave OF Speaker C0lfax
aud went directly TO the War Department. where we
found Mr. Stanton alone, except few CLERKS scattered
about in the rooms near.
have met many people who seeded pleased 10
meet me, but do not recoect any occasion wneh tue
pleasure seemed greater or the greeting warmer tnah
we received. and especially when we ammo inced that
we had come to stay" Ii was rot long before Others
(ulainly members OF tOngIeSsl DcpdH 10 BatHtr, hu
on the adjournment OF the Senate there came quite
"a reinforcement OF Senators. Of course the stua,
ton was the theme of discussion, and what could
be done or what should be done, was presented with
all the varying views. such a. BODY ot men wouid
entertain when in high state OF excitement Dakota
had for a DELEGATE at this time DIR. Bureigh, VINO
was fuller OF iun aud III schei than any other man
has been nv fortune to know This Dr. Burlcgh had
in some way got hold OF General !hoinat NJ one OF
the Washington hotels, and strengthened his courage
with lev glasses, so that Thomas was ccarns
stn that ho wuud 90 with armed force ana Ouht
Stanton IRON the Wa Department pr. Burlegh,
OF coursc, adroitly encouraging Thomas III his
valiant resolutions and declarations
Constant reports OF these threats by Thomas were
sent TO us at the War Department. and formed
another element in our DISCUSSIONS III was hnaiIy
proposed by some one (but do hot rememoer VINO,
that a prosecution DO started against General
thomas under the recently enacted tenure OF once
law" This met with general favor, and was
selected as perhaps "a handy LAWYER as any oil
the company to draw the complaint and warrant
This proceeded to do as well ms rould under the
circumstances. Mr.. Stanton signed the complaint IA
complainant aud TO it before Chief Justice Cart
ter the District Court. who was one Oh those carr,
the ground, and the warrant was sishea py 'u"so
Cartier 49,
Beiore leaving the night at the War Department
must not forget act OF patriotism that added much
to comfort and perhapsto our couragstnougn tne
was the late Hon. Samuel Hooper. OF Massachusetts,
commonly called Uncle Sam Hooper, lie gave the
best dinners in Washington, and Was reputed % nave
tho BEST harder and other supplies. lie wcht nome
with his carriage and returned so late that no garr-
son was ever better prepared to support siege a.
A considerable number O! us remained with Mr.
Stanton through the night and In the morning Generai
Thomas Was arrested the warrant signsd Dy Judge
Cartier and all threatening tn take possession OF the
War Department by iorce ended. On being brought
before Judge CARTIER the counsel Tor General Thomas
D, occurred delay tor q few days, aud bail was given
tor his appearance. ,...
The Democrats were much exasperated by the ten
ure of Office law, and think they very generally De-
lcycd it to be Unconstitutional They concluded thls
case of General Thomas would give an opportunity
for a speedy decision OF tho validity OF the law Dy
having General Thomas decline to furnish bail and DC
committed aud then brought before tho court by writ
OF habeas corpus. Everything was arranged accord
ingIy and on the day Thomass case came up before
Judge Cartier, Thomas aud his counsel appeare
before Judge Cartier with considerable pomp
and array and the counsel announced that
General Thomas would waive any examlnatoi
before Judge Cartier and would decline to fnrnisn
further ball. and the Judge could order him committed
for want Of bail.
But Judge Cartier, presume, had knowledge OIL
their pun pose beforehand ut any iate he was auio
equal to the occasion and ready TO save his friends
and party from the dilemma. On the announcement
by Thomass counsel tnat he would decline to furnish
bail and he could order him committed Judge Carttcr
with his peculiar twinkle OF the eye and ms ihitaoe
stammer, said Oh, know General Thomas, no 10
nv neighbor. There not the slightest danger ne
will leave the country and not be here when wanted
aud 30, no need Of any bail or commitment ana
shan't rake any order for any" 30 tar as know
this was the end OF tho prosecution.